US teen influencer stranded in Antarctica after landing plane illegally

A teenage influencer from the US has been stranded in a remote area of Antarctica for nearly two months.

Last year, Ethan Guo embarked on a courageous fundraising mission for childhood cancer research, aiming to raise $1 million.

However, Chilean authorities allege that the 19-year-old illegally landed his plane in the Chilean territory of King George Island off the Atlantic coast.

They also accused him of providing ‘false flight plan data’ and travelling to the island. Chile claims ownership of the island, which is located around 75 miles off the coast of Antarctica.

On 29 June, Guo was charged with providing false information to ground control and landing without authorisation - both are breaches of the Chilean Aeronautical Code, which carries a possible penalty of short-term imprisonment or a fine.

However, on Monday (11 August), a judge dropped his charges, and Guo has remained in Antarctica since.

Who is Ethan Guo?

Ethan Guo has been stranded in Antarctica for two months (Ethan Guo)

Guo’s passion for aviation first took off when he was aged 13, and he earned his private pilot license at 17. He had been homeschooled to accommodate flight training (via The Independent).

Last year, the 19-year-old embarked on a courageous fundraising mission for childhood cancer research last year, aiming to raise $1 million.

His seven-continent mission began in September in Memphis, Tennessee, and the good cause behind it was inspired by his cousin, who was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2021.

He is also attempting to become the first person to fly solo across all seven continents, and he is piloting a 50-year-old single-engine Cessna 182Q to do so.

Now with 1.4 million followers on Instagram, he has completed over 700 hours of flight time, according to The Independent.

Why did Chilean authorities detain Guo?

Having travelled to six continents, Guo landed his plane on King George Island in June, where he was detained at the airport.

Prosecutors claim he was only authorised to fly to the Chilean city of Punta Arenas, which is often used as a base for trips to Antarctica.

Authorities further claim that the teenager's flight plan only included this landing in Punta Arenas, CBS News reports.

Chilean prosecutor Cristián Cristoso said he'd violated 'multiple national and international' rules, and his flight had posed a potential safety risk for other flyers.

Why is Ethan Guo stranded?

Guo is raising money for childhood cancer research (Ethan Guo)

An agreement was reached between Guo’s lawyers and Chilean prosecutors, under which the charges would be dropped in exchange for a $30,000 donation to a children’s cancer foundation and his immediate departure from Chile - an outcome which he said he was 'relieved by'.

He is also unable to return to Chilean territory for three years.

Following his charge, Guo stayed at a military base for six weeks, though he was not required to stay there, but he needed to remain in Chilean territory.

However, extreme weather has made it difficult for him to take a flight back to the US, and Cristoso said his plane 'does not have the capabilities to make a flight'.

Speaking to The Associated Press, he is awaiting approval for his departure flight from Antarctica, adding: "I sincerely hope they give it to me soon so that I and my plane can continue with my original mission."

You can read more about Guo's goal here.